Sustainability is a way of creating conditions in which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony. Sustainability fulfills the social and economic impacts as well as other requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to ensure that current conditions will continue to be a usable to protect our environment for the future. [1]
Sustainability in stormwater management is a new movement from the usual engineered approach to natural solutions to storage and treatment that can disturb the hydrologic cycle. The engineered approach involves large construction projects that range from installing expensive pipes, inlets, and outlets, to the maintenance of these projects. As stormwater is running through a pipe inlet to an outlet, it can get mixed with pollutants such as oil and eroded sediments that then get discharged into water bodies like wells.
Sustainable stormwater management incorporates nature by utilizing the surrounding terrain, landscape medians, swales and interchange areas to store and treat stormwater runoff. The natural approach more effectively removes pollutants through vegetation and soil, leaving the hydrologic cycle undisturbed.[2]
Historical Background
Stormwater management reduces runoff by slowing down the stormwater before it becomes runoff. Stormwater runoff occurs when precipiation from rain or snowmelt flows over land surfaces. Soil and plants absorb stormwater; however, in modern times, streets, buildings, and parking lots have created areas of little resistance, and rain washes rapidly over these surfaces. The runoff from this stormwater carries pollutants to bodies of water including rivers and streams. During heavy periods of rain certain problems occur, such as local flooding and erosion of stream banks, which impacts wildlife in downstream areas. Managing stormwater helps prevent negative impacts to the environment and reduces public safety hazards.
Traditional Methods
Traditional methods of stormwater management lacked consideration for runoff impact downstream. Therefore, flooding and contamination caused concern and requests for stormwater standards.
Clean Water Act of 1972 (United States)
This act of the United States Congress prohibited the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters unless authorized with a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. Several revisions to this act updated the definition requirements for obtaining a NPDES permit.
National Stormwater Permit Program
In 1987, the Water Quality Act added several amendments to the Clean Water Act. Many non-governed entities of the Clean Water Act were officially required to obtain permits to release certain discharges into the environment.
Variation of Stormwater Management and Construction Consideration
Many methods can be used to manage stormwater. Below are some examples of sustainability in stormwater management.
1. Pervious Pavement
Pervious pavements filter and infiltrate water into the ground, reducing runoff into storm drains. These pavements are commonly used for walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots, and even some portions of streets. Various types of pervious pavements are designed using materials such as concrete, plastic, gravel, paving stones, brick, and others.[3]
Some examples of the different materials used in pervious pavement are shown in the picture below. Some important factors determine which application of pervious pavement should be used. The infiltration rate is a key element in designing the pervious pavement. Other important consideration factors include the traffic loading and design speed.
Figure 1. (Concrete Pavement)
Figure 2. (Plastic Pavement)
Figure 3. (Gravel Pavement)
The proper installation procedure is particularly important for the application of asphalt and concrete pavement mixes. For example, weather conditions at the time of installation have major implications on the impact of the final product. Extreme temperatures should be avoided when constructing pervious pavements.[4]
2. Eco-Roof and Roof Garden
Eco-roofs and Roof Gardens are some other applications in the sustainability of stormwater runoff. These applications absorb carbon dioxide, filter air pollutants, and provide urban green space. Eco-Roof systems and Roof Gardens are designed similarly. Eco-Roof uses a waterproofing material with a thin soil on the top of the roof and replaces conventional roofing with a layer of vegetation over a synthetic, waterproof membrane.[5] The Eco-Roof captures from ten percent to 100 percent of precipitation.[6] The picture below shows the design of Eco-Roof and Roof Garden.
Figure 4. (Eco-Roof & Roof Garden System Stormwater Management System)
Figure 5. (Roof Garden)
In contrast to the Eco-Roof, a Roof Garden is a heavier roof system of waterproofing material with thick soil and vegetation. A Roof Garden can absorb a higher percentage of precipitation than an Eco-Roof. The Roof Garden captures and then evapotranspirates 50 to 100% of precipitation.[7]
3. Contained Planter
Figure 6. (Contained Planter)
Contained planters are used for planting trees, shrubs, and ground cover to capture precipiation. A planter is designed in various dimensions, shapes and sizes and can be constructed in place. Contained planters capture precipitation from rain only and cannot manage stormwater runoff. Planters are placed in areas with limited runoff, such as sidewalks and plazas. Drainage from contained planters travels through the bottom of the planter. Planters should be relatively self-sustaining, with little need for fertilizers or pesticides.
4. Trees
Trees intercept precipitation and provide several stormwater management benefits, including flow control. Trees hold water on the leaves and branches and allow it to evaporate, retaining flow and dissipating the energy of runoff. Tree also provide pollution reduction, stormwater cooling, and shade over large impervious surfaces.
5. Infiltration Planter
Infiltration planters are structural landscaped reservoirs used to collect, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff. [8] This system allows pollutants to settle and filter out as water filters gradually through the planter soil and infiltrates into the ground. Infiltration planters also provide pollution reduction. In the design process, planters help fulfill a site’s required landscaping.[9]
6. Grassed Swales
Another system in stormwater management includes grassed swales. Grassed swales are long narrow grassy depressions as shown in figure 9. This grassed swale collects and conveys stormwater runoff, allowing pollutants to settle and filter out as the water infiltrates into the ground or flows through or next to a facility.[10]
Land Urbanization Effects Water changes forms on earth, and this transformation impacts differing areas in various ways. Urbanization is researched to see how new environmental obstacles impacts stormwater. STORMY WEATHER : MANAGING STORMWATER CLOSE TO THE SOURCE.
Stormwater management remains a complex and challenging issue in sustainability. Traditional stormwater management designs focused on collecting stormwater in piped networks and transporting it off-site as quickly as possible. Below is a video showing the basic process of different varieties of stormwater management.
Funding Considerations
Green Infrastructure Funding Opportunities
The lack of funding remains an obstacle for the progression of green infrastructure for stormwater management. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided links to numerous resources for local municipalities and governments to pursue funding for stormwater runoff management. Green Infrastructure Funding Opportunities
Successful Cases of Sustainability in Stormwater Management
1. Building Green: A Success Story in Philadelphia
In 2010, the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Office of Water produced the 11-minute video posted above. The video highlights the innovative efforts by green builders in Philadelphia who help protect and restore environmental quality and beautify the city. The video features the work of Philadelphia’s Onion Flats LLC, a company that designs residential buildings with the highest ratings for energy and water efficiency. The company installs green roofs, porous pavements, solar panels, and Energy Star appliances. These designs capture rainwater, reduce stormwater runoff, and save energy. In the above video Howard Neukrug with Philadelphia’s Office of Watersheds explains the importance of green stormwater infrastructure. The city of Philadelphia now offers incentives to builders and developers to use new techniques to help meet clean water and other environmental goals.[11]
2. Green Infrastructure in Portland, Oregon
Figure 10. (Green Infrastructure in Portland, Oregon)
The city of Portland, Oregon, shares a successful story in sustainability in stormwater management. Portland uses green streets, Eco-roofs, trees, and other green infrastructure to manage stormwater, bring nature into the city, conserve energy, and even increase property values. More than one-third of Portland's 2,500 miles of sewer pipes are at least 80 years old. Economically, these green infrastructures help the city save money by reducing replacement costs of current infrastructure by protecting the aging sewer system and making it operate more efficiently. [12]
3. Bioretention Area - Hudson River
Native plants and vegetation have been increased to provide stormwater management and shoreline stabilization along a 51-mile stretch of the Hudson River in New York.
Introduction and Definition
Sustainability is a way of creating conditions in which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony. Sustainability fulfills the social and economic impacts as well as other requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to ensure that current conditions will continue to be a usable to protect our environment for the future. [1]
Table of Contents
Sustainability in stormwater management is a new movement from the usual engineered approach to natural solutions to storage and treatment that can disturb the hydrologic cycle. The engineered approach involves large construction projects that range from installing expensive pipes, inlets, and outlets, to the maintenance of these projects. As stormwater is running through a pipe inlet to an outlet, it can get mixed with pollutants such as oil and eroded sediments that then get discharged into water bodies like wells.
Sustainable stormwater management incorporates nature by utilizing the surrounding terrain, landscape medians, swales and interchange areas to store and treat stormwater runoff. The natural approach more effectively removes pollutants through vegetation and soil, leaving the hydrologic cycle undisturbed.[2]
Historical Background
Stormwater management reduces runoff by slowing down the stormwater before it becomes runoff. Stormwater runoff occurs when precipiation from rain or snowmelt flows over land surfaces. Soil and plants absorb stormwater; however, in modern times, streets, buildings, and parking lots have created areas of little resistance, and rain washes rapidly over these surfaces. The runoff from this stormwater carries pollutants to bodies of water including rivers and streams. During heavy periods of rain certain problems occur, such as local flooding and erosion of stream banks, which impacts wildlife in downstream areas. Managing stormwater helps prevent negative impacts to the environment and reduces public safety hazards.
Traditional Methods
Traditional methods of stormwater management lacked consideration for runoff impact downstream. Therefore, flooding and contamination caused concern and requests for stormwater standards.Clean Water Act of 1972 (United States)
This act of the United States Congress prohibited the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters unless authorized with a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. Several revisions to this act updated the definition requirements for obtaining a NPDES permit.National Stormwater Permit Program
In 1987, the Water Quality Act added several amendments to the Clean Water Act. Many non-governed entities of the Clean Water Act were officially required to obtain permits to release certain discharges into the environment.Variation of Stormwater Management and Construction Consideration
Many methods can be used to manage stormwater. Below are some examples of sustainability in stormwater management.
1. Pervious Pavement
Pervious pavements filter and infiltrate water into the ground, reducing runoff into storm drains. These pavements are commonly used for walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots, and even some portions of streets. Various types of pervious pavements are designed using materials such as concrete, plastic, gravel, paving stones, brick, and others.[3]Some examples of the different materials used in pervious pavement are shown in the picture below. Some important factors determine which application of pervious pavement should be used. The infiltration rate is a key element in designing the pervious pavement. Other important consideration factors include the traffic loading and design speed.
2. Eco-Roof and Roof Garden
Eco-roofs and Roof Gardens are some other applications in the sustainability of stormwater runoff. These applications absorb carbon dioxide, filter air pollutants, and provide urban green space. Eco-Roof systems and Roof Gardens are designed similarly. Eco-Roof uses a waterproofing material with a thin soil on the top of the roof and replaces conventional roofing with a layer of vegetation over a synthetic, waterproof membrane.[5] The Eco-Roof captures from ten percent to 100 percent of precipitation.[6] The picture below shows the design of Eco-Roof and Roof Garden.
3. Contained Planter
Planters should be relatively self-sustaining, with little need for fertilizers or pesticides.
4. Trees
Trees intercept precipitation and provide several stormwater management benefits, including flow control. Trees hold water on the leaves and branches and allow it to evaporate, retaining flow and dissipating the energy of runoff. Tree also provide pollution reduction, stormwater cooling, and shade over large impervious surfaces.5. Infiltration Planter
6. Grassed Swales
Another system in stormwater management includes grassed swales. Grassed swales are long narrow grassy depressions as shown in figure 9. This grassed swale collects and conveys stormwater runoff, allowing pollutants to settle and filter out as the water infiltrates into the ground or flows through or next to a facility. [10]Recent Research
Urban Water Journal
New terminology is emerging for use with stormwater management, indicating a movement to increased involvement and want for stormwater management practices.SUDS, LID, BMPs, WSUD and more – The evolution and application of terminology surrounding urban drainage
Stormwater Reduction Estimation
Residential areas are being tested with stormwater reduction. Experiments are collecting data to determine the relationship between impervious and pervious pavements that interact during stormwater events in residential neighborhoods.
The Ability of Urban Residential Lawns to Disconnect Impervious Area from Municipal Sewer Systems.
Land Urbanization Effects
Water changes forms on earth, and this transformation impacts differing areas in various ways. Urbanization is researched to see how new environmental obstacles impacts stormwater.
STORMY WEATHER : MANAGING STORMWATER CLOSE TO THE SOURCE.
Landscaping
Professional landscapers meet the same challenges of stormwater runoff as engineers.
Stormwater management challenges as revealed through a design experiment with professional landscape architects.
Experts in the field
Center for Watershed Protection
Clean Water Solutions
CWP
Versar
Environmental and Construction Management
Versar
Dewberry
Stormwater Management
Dewberry
Stormwater management remains a complex and challenging issue in sustainability. Traditional stormwater management designs focused on collecting stormwater in piped networks and transporting it off-site as quickly as possible. Below is a video showing the basic process of different varieties of stormwater management.
Funding Considerations
Green Infrastructure Funding Opportunities
The lack of funding remains an obstacle for the progression of green infrastructure for stormwater management.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided links to numerous resources for local municipalities and governments to pursue funding for stormwater runoff management. Green Infrastructure Funding Opportunities
Successful Cases of Sustainability in Stormwater Management
1. Building Green: A Success Story in Philadelphia
In 2010, the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Office of Water produced the 11-minute video posted above. The video highlights the innovative efforts by green builders in Philadelphia who help protect and restore environmental quality and beautify the city. The video features the work of Philadelphia’s Onion Flats LLC, a company that designs residential buildings with the highest ratings for energy and water efficiency. The company installs green roofs, porous pavements, solar panels, and Energy Star appliances. These designs capture rainwater, reduce stormwater runoff, and save energy. In the above video Howard Neukrug with Philadelphia’s Office of Watersheds explains the importance of green stormwater infrastructure. The city of Philadelphia now offers incentives to builders and developers to use new techniques to help meet clean water and other environmental goals.[11]
2. Green Infrastructure in Portland, Oregon
The city of Portland, Oregon, shares a successful story in sustainability in stormwater management. Portland uses green streets, Eco-roofs, trees, and other green infrastructure to manage stormwater, bring nature into the city, conserve energy, and even increase property values. More than one-third of Portland's 2,500 miles of sewer pipes are at least 80 years old. Economically, these green infrastructures help the city save money by reducing replacement costs of current infrastructure by protecting the aging sewer system and making it operate more efficiently. [12]
3. Bioretention Area - Hudson River
Native plants and vegetation have been increased to provide stormwater management and shoreline stabilization along a 51-mile stretch of the Hudson River in New York.United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). “What is Sustainability?” EPA, < http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm> (Nov. 30, 2014).
Context Sensitive Soloutions (2014). “Stormwater Management/Water Quality.” CSS, < http://contextsensitivesolutions.org/content/topics/css_design/design-examples/flexible-design-elements/stormwater-mgmt/> ( Nov.30,2014).
Schmitz, Allen (2007). "Preliminary Stormwater Report: Infiltration Planter." Don Cushing Associates Civil Engineers, <https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/sites/default/files/archives/projects/landuse/2007/LU%2007-0064/LU%2007-0064%20F2.pdf> (Nov. 30, 2014)
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/sites/default/files/archives/projects/landuse/2007/LU%2007-0064/LU%2007-0064%20F2.pdf> (Nov. 30, 2014)
Rogue Valley (2006). "Stormwater Quality Design Manual." LCOG, <http://www.lcog.org/documents/sub_action/roguevdesignmanual.pdf>, (Nov. 30, 2014)